Requirements
Education Overview
Applicants for licensure must either:
- have graduated from an accredited institution of higher learning with a four-year land surveying curriculum, or
- hold a bachelor's degree that includes 22 semester or 32 quarter credits in land surveying, divided among at least six of the land surveying categories
Examination Overview
In most instances, applicants must first pass the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam and then the Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) and Minnesota Land Survey (MNLS) Exams in order to be considered for licensure. The FS and PS are administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), while the MNLS is administered by the Board. Applicants who successfully pass the FS Exam and graduated may choose to apply for the Land Surveyor-In-Training, or LSIT, designation.
Experience Overview
To qualify for the PS and MNLS Exams, applicants must provide evidence of completing qualifying experience. Qualifying experience consists of varied, progressive, practical experience at land surveying work, gained under the direct supervision of a licensed land surveyor. Qualifying experience gained prior to meeting the education requirements must meet certain conditions.
The amount of experience needed depends upon the type of education earned.
For Additional Information
Please visit each tab – FS/LSIT, Initial License (PS/MNLS), and License (Comity) – for complete details on the Education, Examination, and Experience requirements.
License (PS/MNLS)
Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) and Minnesota Land Surveying (MNLS) Exam
Experience Overview
Applicants for the PS Exam and the MNLS Exam – both of which are required for licensure in Minnesota – must provide evidence that they meet the qualifying experience requirements.
Qualifying experience consists of varied, progressive, practical experience at land surveying work, gained under the direct supervision of a licensed land surveyor. How much experience you need depends upon the type of education you have earned. See MN Rules 1800.3505 Subp. 3 for details. Qualifying experience gained prior to meeting the education requirements must meet the conditions specified in MN Rules 1800.3505, Subp. 3, D.
Use the Experience Reference Form, which is part of the paper application packet. Customize and send a copy to every supervisor verifying your experience. The completed form must be sent by the supervisor directly to the Board; it may not be submitted by the applicant.
Application Process
The Application for Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) Exam and Minnesota Land Surveying Exam (MNLS) thoroughly outlines the PS and MNLS Exam application process, including links to Minnesota rules and statutes and relevant associated websites (such as NCEES), as well as an Application Checklist. Carefully review all the instructions and the forms. PS and MNLS Exam applications must be printed and mailed in, along with the application fee.
Use the combined PS and MNLS Application to apply for one or both exams. Follow the instructions in the application to provide all required additional information. Incomplete applications expire six (6) months after receipt.
Exam Application Deadlines
The PS Exam is computer-based and administered year-round by NCEES.
If approved, you have three years from the date of the application to register with NCEES (see below) and take the exam before your application to the Board expires. If your application expires or if you do not pass the exam, you must submit a new application and fee to the Board.
NCEES PS Exam registration: Once you are approved by the Board, you may register with NCEES at any time. Once registered, you have one year to schedule your exam before your authorization from NCEES to sit for the exam is forfeited. Testing day and site reservations through NCEES are on a first-come, first-served basis and are restricted by seat availability at each test center.
The MNLS is paper-based and administered by the Board twice each year in St. Paul – once in the spring and once in the fall (see the chart below). You apply for a particular exam date and must re-apply if you do not then sit on that particular date.
| MNLS Exam Date |
Board Application Deadline |
| October 23, 2026 |
Now Open | Deadline: August 10, 2026 |
License Application Fees
| Exam |
Board Application Fee |
Exam Fee |
| PS Exam |
$75* |
Set by and paid directly to NCEES |
| MNLS Exam |
$75* |
$250** |
*If you apply at the same time for both the PS and MNLS Exams, a single fee of $75 covers both applications.
**Once your application for the MNLS exam is approved, you will receive a letter with the location, schedule, and other details for this exam by mail. You will need to submit a check or money order for the $250 exam fee and a copy of the letter by the deadline stated in that approval letter. At this time, the Board is unable to accept cash, credit card, or other electronic forms of payment for the MNLS Exam fee. You will also want to review the MNLS Candidate Handbook to prepare for the exam.
Next Steps After the Exam
Need to Retake an Exam?
See the exam application instructions for how to reapply.
Licensure
The Board will notify you by mail of your PS and MNLS Exam results. Once you pass both the PS Exam and the MNLS Exam, you will be sent a License Fee Letter. You must submit a check or money order for the $120 license fee made payable to “MN Board of AELSLAGID” along with a copy of the license fee letter referenced above. At this time, the Board is unable to accept cash, credit card, or other forms of electronic payment for the license fee.
Once the Board receives your license fee, a license number will be generated, and a license card will be mailed to you. A wall certificate signed by the Board Chair and Secretary and suitable for framing will be sent to you following the next regularly scheduled Board meeting. NOTE: You are not licensed and cannot practice or hold out as licensed until the Board processes your license and issues your license number.
Regardless of when it is obtained, your license expires June 30th of every even-numbered year unless renewed.
License (Comity)
Licensure by Comity (Reciprocity) or EEE
If you already hold a license in another jurisdiction or took the required exams in another jurisdiction, use the Application for Licensure as a Land Surveyor by Comity/EEE and Minnesota Land Surveying (MNLS) Exam to apply for a license in Minnesota. Follow the instructions in the application to provide all required additional information. Incomplete applications expire six (6) months after receipt.
There are two means by which to apply; select your choice on the form.
- Comity applications are reviewed based on the Education, Examination and Experience requirements that were in place in Minnesota at the time of your original licensure. (For example: If you were originally licensed in 1999, your credentials will be evaluated based on the Education, Examination and Experience requirements that were in place in Minnesota in 1999). Your required experience must have been obtained prior to passing the PS Exam and it must be verified by whomever was your supervisor at that time.
- EEE (Education, Examination, and Experience) applications are reviewed based on licensure requirements currently in place in Minnesota.
To document experience, you can either submit an NCEES Record containing your verified experience, or use the Experience Reference Form, which is part of the PSComityEEEApp.pdf application packet.
License Application Fee
The comity/EEE application fee is $75, payable via check or money order made payable to “MN Board of AELSLAGID”. At this time, the Board is unable to accept cash, credit card, or other forms of electronic payment for the application fee.
Licensure
Once your comity/EEE application is approved, you will receive a letter with the location, schedule, and other details for the MNLS exam by mail. You will need to submit a check or money order for the $250 exam fee and a copy of the letter by the deadline stated in that approval letter. At this time, the Board is unable to accept cash, credit card, or other electronic forms of payment for the MNLS Exam fee. You will also want to review the MNLS Candidate Handbook to prepare for the exam.
The Board will notify you by mail of your MNLS Exam result. Once you pass the MNLS Exam, you will be sent a License Fee Letter. To obtain your professional license once you receive the letter, you must submit a check or money order for $120 made payable to “MN Board of AELSLAGID” along with a copy of the license fee letter referenced above. At this time, the Board is unable to accept cash, credit card, or other forms of electronic payment for the license fee.
Once the Board receives your license fee, a license number will be generated, and a license card will be mailed to you. A wall certificate signed by the Board Chair and Secretary and suitable for framing will be sent to you following the next regularly scheduled Board meeting. NOTE: You are not licensed and cannot practice or hold out as licensed until the Board processes your license and issues your license number.
Regardless of when it is obtained, your license expires June 30th of every even-numbered year unless renewed.
